Blizzards and Hailstorms

A blizzard is a winter storm characterized by
high winds, low temperatures, and driving snow. (According to the official
definition given in 1958 by the U.S. Weather Bureau, the winds must exceed
35 miles (56 km) per hour and the must drop to temperature 20° F (-7° C)
or lower.)

A hailstorm is precipitation in the form of
balls or lumps of clear ice and compact snow. It is not known for sure how
hailstones form and grow. We do know that they are spherical or
irregularly spherical and usually vary in diameter up to 1/2 in. (1.3 cm);
in rare cases hailstones having diameters up to 5 in. (12.7 cm) have been
observed. Hail causes much damage and injury to crops, livestock,
property, and airplanes.

Where: United States

When: 1999

Major blizzard and sub-zero temperatures wreak havoc in Illinois,
Wisconsin, Indiana, Michigan, and Ohio; 73 were killed in the blizzard
and transportation systems in the region were paralyzed. Damages reached
about $500 million.

Where: United States

When: 1978

The blizzard of 1978 was one of the most powerful snowstorms to hit
the East Coast. It crippled New York and New England for days, in many
areas dumping more than three feet of snow.

Where: United States

When: 1888

The worst winter storm in U.S. history, the Blizzard of 1888
surprised the northeastern United States with as much as five feet of
snow in some areas. Two hundred boats sank and more than 400 people died
due to very powerful winds and cold temperatures.

Where: Russia (formerly the Soviet Union)

When: 1923

In Rostov, 23 people and even more cattle were killed by hailstones
weighing up to 2 pounds each.

Where: India

When: 1939

A hailstorm over a 30-square-mile area in the southern part of the
country killed cattle and sheep and damaged crops. Some of the
hailstones were said to weigh 71/2 pounds.